Women’s Health Vocabulary for Men

For many people, especially young men, anything related to women’s health is a confusing. What is a hysterectomy? What are the symptoms of menopause?

Regardless of your gender, everyone needs a basic understanding of women’s health terminology. These terms will often come up when discussing news stories like the Zika virusorrobotic surgery. It is equally important for men to know these terms if and when they decide to start a family.

This simple vocabulary guide will give a quick rundown of the terms everyone should know when your loved ones are having a serious conversation about setting up a meeting with a gynecologist.

Gynecology

Gynecology is the study of the female reproductive systems and any related injuries, illnesses or diseases.

Gynecologist

A gynecologist is a physician that specializes in women’s health, particularly in the diseases of the female genital tract, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva.

Obstetrics

Obstetrics is the study of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period which involves the care of women during and after pregnancy.

OB-GYN

OB-GYN is an abbreviation used to describe a medical specialty that focuses on obstetrics and gynecology.

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove a woman’s uterus, or womb. The doctor may also remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth in the breasts cells that develops into a malignant tumor. This disease mostly occurs in women, but has a 1-6% chance of occurring in men.

Menopause

Menopause is the period in a woman’s life in which there is a permanent cessation of menstruation. This is a natural biological process that usually develops between ages 40 through 50. It may occur earlier if a woman has a hysterectomy. Such cases are referred to as “surgical menopause.”

Cystocele

A cystocele, or anterior prolapse, is also known as a prolapsed or dropped bladder and occurs when the wall between a woman’s bladder and her vagina is torn during childbirth.

If your family is located in San Antonio and you would like to schedule an appointment at the Institute for Women’s Health for services related to the definitions above, click here.